Adeleke Slams APC Thugs For Osun Attacks, Seeks Tinubu’s Intervention – 7 Key Takeaways

The news says: Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has condemned what he described as coordinated attacks allegedly carried out by political thugs across parts of the state, including Ile-Ife, Ede and Osogbo. He called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the DSS, and other security agencies to urgently intervene. He also urged former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji to call their supporters to order.

Who are the people involved in this political violence?

Governor Ademola Adeleke (Osun State Governor, condemning the attacks). Alleged perpetrators: pro-APC political thugs (according to Adeleke). Victims: injured citizens (including the Osogbo Accord Party chairman, who survived a gunshot attack). Political leaders called out: former Governor Gboyega Oyetola (APC), APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji. Security authorities called upon: President Bola Tinubu, NSA Nuhu Ribadu, IGP Tunji Disu, DSS. Affected locations: Ile-Ife, Ede, Osogbo, and other parts of Osun State.

Where did these attacks happen?

Ile-Ife, Ede, Osogbo, and other parts of Osun State. Victims are receiving treatment at Osun State Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, and Cottage Hospital, Ede.

What did Governor Adeleke say?

He strongly condemned the “coordinated attacks carried out by pro-APC political thugs.” He said: “No political ambition is worth the blood, pain, and suffering of innocent citizens.” He called on President Tinubu and security agencies to intervene urgently. He urged Oyetola and Oyebamiji to call their supporters to order, warning that continued provocations could destabilise the state.

When did these attacks happen?

The attacks occurred on Tuesday (June 9, 2026). Adeleke issued his statement on Tuesday. The news was published on June 9, 2026.

Why is Adeleke directly naming APC leaders?

He is accusing the APC of orchestrating or failing to control political violence. By naming Oyetola (former governor) and Oyebamiji (APC candidate), he is putting the responsibility on the opposition leadership. He is also calling on President Tinubu (the national APC leader) to intervene – a strategic move that puts pressure on the presidency to act against its own party members.

How is Adeleke responding to the attacks?

He visited affected communities and victims in hospitals. He paid a solidarity visit to the Osogbo Accord Party chairman who survived a gunshot attack. He directed security agencies to carry out a full investigation and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice, “regardless of political affiliation.” He also said additional security measures have been deployed across vulnerable locations.

7 key takeaways from Governor Adeleke’s condemnation of Osun political attacks.

1. Adeleke directly accused the APC of orchestrating coordinated political violence. He did not use vague language like “unknown gunmen” or “political thugs.” He specifically said “pro-APC political thugs.” That is a direct accusation against the opposition party. It raises the political temperature. The APC will likely deny the accusation. But Adeleke has put them on the defensive.

2. He called on President Tinubu – the APC national leader – to intervene. This is strategic. Adeleke is not just calling on security agencies. He is calling on Tinubu personally. He is asking the President to restrain his own party members. If violence continues, Adeleke can say: “I asked the President to act, and he did nothing.” That puts pressure on Tinubu to publicly intervene.

3. He named Oyetola and Oyebamiji – putting responsibility on specific individuals. Adeleke did not attack “the APC” generically. He named the former governor and the current APC candidate. That is a risky move. It personalises the conflict. It also gives those individuals an opportunity to respond. If they condemn the violence, Adeleke gains credibility. If they stay silent, they appear complicit.

4. The victims include a political party chairman – the Accord Party chairman survived a gunshot. This is not just violence against ordinary citizens. A party chairman was shot. That suggests a pattern of attacking political opponents, not just random thuggery. The violence is targeted. Adeleke’s visit to the hospital is a powerful gesture – showing solidarity with an opposition party chairman.

5. Adeleke warned that continued provocations could “plunge our dear state into chaos.” That is a serious warning. Osun has a history of political violence. The governor is saying: this could escalate. He is appealing to Tinubu and security agencies to act before it is too late. The warning is both a threat and a plea.

6. He directed security agencies to investigate “regardless of political affiliation.” That is an important commitment. Political violence in Nigeria is often ignored when the perpetrators are connected to the party in power at the federal level. Adeleke is saying: I will not protect anyone. Whether the thugs are APC or PDP, they must face justice. That is a strong statement – but enforcement will be the test.

7. The attacks happened in multiple locations – Ile-Ife, Ede, Osogbo – suggesting coordination. Adeleke described them as “coordinated attacks.” That means they were planned, not spontaneous. Multiple locations, similar tactics, likely a single command structure. That makes the violence more dangerous – and harder to dismiss as isolated incidents.

How this affects Nigerians in Osun State.

i. Political tension will increase ahead of the August 8 governorship election. Osun voters go to the polls on August 8, 2026. These attacks will heighten fears of election violence. Voters may stay home. Campaigns may become more aggressive. The police and military must deploy heavily to prevent further violence.

ii. Residents will be afraid to express political opinions publicly. If political thugs are attacking opponents, people will keep their political views private. That undermines democracy. Free and fair elections require voters to be able to support candidates without fear of attack.

iii. The governor’s visit to hospitals will build trust with victims. Adeleke’s personal visit to injured victims is good politics – and good governance. Victims feel seen. Their families see that the government cares. That builds loyalty and trust.

iv. The APC may feel pressured to condemn the violence – or risk being seen as complicit. Adeleke has put the APC in a difficult position. If they condemn the violence, they may alienate their thugs. If they stay silent, voters will assume they are behind it. Either way, the APC’s response will be scrutinised.

v. Security agencies will be under pressure to arrest perpetrators. Adeleke has publicly called for investigations “regardless of political affiliation.” The police and DSS must now act. If no arrests are made, the governor will accuse them of bias. If arrests are made, the APC will accuse them of persecution. Security agencies are in a difficult position.

vi. The August 8 election may become a referendum on political violence – not just governance. Voters may choose based on which party they believe will keep the peace – not based on policies. That is a tragedy. Elections should be about ideas, not fear.

vii. President Tinubu’s response will be closely watched. Adeleke called on Tinubu personally. If Tinubu responds publicly and condemns the violence, it may calm tensions. If he remains silent, Adeleke will claim the President is protecting his party’s thugs. Tinubu cannot avoid this.

Advice from this analyst.

1. To President Bola Tinubu: respond publicly. Condemn all political violence – regardless of party. Call on APC leaders in Osun to restrain their supporters. Your silence will be interpreted as complicity. A single presidential statement could de-escalate tensions.

2. To former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji: condemn the attacks. Call on your supporters to remain peaceful. If you do not, voters will assume you are responsible. A public statement now could save lives – and your reputation.

3. To the Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu: deploy additional forces to Osun State immediately. Focus on Ile-Ife, Ede, and Osogbo. Investigate the attacks. Arrest perpetrators regardless of party affiliation. Show that political violence will not be tolerated.

4. To the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu: coordinate with Osun State security agencies. Provide intelligence support. Do not leave the state to handle this alone. Political violence in one state can spread. Act now.

5. To Governor Ademola Adeleke: you have done the right thing – speaking out, visiting victims, directing investigations. Now ensure that security agencies have the resources they need. Do not just make statements. Follow up. Hold regular security meetings. Keep the pressure on.

6. To the media: cover the violence and the political responses. But do not sensationalise. Do not take sides. Your role is to inform – not to inflame. Verify claims before publishing. Give both parties a chance to respond.

7. To the people of Osun State: do not allow political thugs to intimidate you. Your vote is your power. Report violence to the police. Document attacks. Do not stay silent. Your silence enables the thugs. Your voice can stop them.

Rhetorical question for you.

If Governor Adeleke – a sitting governor – must personally call on President Tinubu to intervene and name specific APC leaders as responsible for political violence – what does that say about the ability of the police and other security agencies to act independently without political pressure?

The answer is troubling. It says that security agencies are not trusted to act neutrally. Adeleke bypassed the police and went straight to the President. He knows that local police commanders may be loyal to the APC or afraid to act against federal power. That is a failure of the security system. In a functioning democracy, a governor should not have to call the President to stop political thugs. The police should act – regardless of party. That they do not is a sign of how politicised security has become.

Akahi News reports that Osun State is bleeding. Political thugs – allegedly pro-APC – have attacked citizens in Ile-Ife, Ede, and Osogbo. The Accord Party chairman survived a gunshot. Victims are in hospitals. Governor Adeleke has spoken out – strongly, directly, naming names. He called on President Tinubu. He called on Oyetola. He called on Oyebamiji. He visited the injured. He demanded investigations. Now the ball is in the court of security agencies. If they act, justice may prevail. If they do not, the violence will continue. And the August 8 election will be fought not with ballots, but with bullets. That is not democracy. That is anarchy. Osun deserves better.